Which Americans can qualify for housing help?

Two great questions. More questions and answers from USA Today here: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-03-04-housing-questions-answers_N.htm

clipped from www.usatoday.com Q: How would that lower my payments? A: Refinancing could reduce mortgage payments by thousands of dollars per year. For example, consider a family that took a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage of $207,000 with an interest rate of 6.50% on a house worth $260,000 at the time. Today, that family has $200,000 remaining on its mortgage, but the value of that home has fallen 15% to $221,000 — making them ineligible for today's low interest rates. Under the plan, that family could refinance to a rate near 5.16%. That would reduce their annual payments by over $2,300. Q: What if I have a lot of other debt? A: You can still qualify. Specifically, homeowners with total debt payments (which include car loans and credit card debt) equal to 55% or more of their income will be required to agree to enter a federally certified counseling program as a condition for a modification.

Housing rescue plan 'should get ball rolling'

From USA Today..go to the article for much more information.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-03-04-housing-rescue-plan_N.htm

clipped from www.usatoday.com WASHINGTON — The Obama administration Wednesday outlined details of a $75 billion housing rescue plan expected to help as many as 9 million American homeowners rework mortgages into more affordable monthly payments. The program will apply to loans made on or before Jan. 1, 2009, and modifications will be allowed only once. Mortgages with a first loan of more than $729,750 do not qualify. Details: •Loan refinancing. Up to 5 million homeowners with a solid payment history on mortgages held or owned by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will be eligible to refinance into more affordable terms. People will be able to refinance even if they have less than 20% equity in their homes, and an appraisal may not be necessary. •Loan modifications. Lenders and other servicers can immediately begin making modifications that could help up to 4 million at-risk homeowners stay in their properties.

Oscar Press Conference with Justin Lance Black

Dustin Lance Black On Oprah

DUSTIN LANCE BLACK ON OPRAH OSCAR WINNING SCREENWRITER MILK FEBRUARY 27 2009

clipped from www.youtube.com DUSTIN LANCE BLACK ON OPRAH OSCAR WINNING SCREENWRITER MILK FEBRUARY 27 2009

Human Rights Campaign to Host Estate Planning Seminar for LGBT Community

Participants to learn the importance of proper estate and financial planning

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, will hold a free estate planning seminar in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, March 18, as part of a national effort to help educate individuals on various estate and financial planning issues including drafting of wills, durable power of attorney for health care and finances, living wills, domestic partnership, and the Pension Protection Act. To learn more visit: www.hrc.org/estateplanning.

“Recent events profoundly demonstrate the paramount importance for individuals to have a sound estate plan in place,” said Timothy Mahoney, Director for Estate Planning at HRC. “Whether dealing with a loved one’s medical care decisions or protecting the family’s relationship and the fruits of their life’s work, ensuring now that one’s wishes will be carried out in the future is a wonderful gift to the individual, the family, the friends and the community.”

The Human Rights Campaign, in partnership with HRC’s local Steering Committees, is committed to educating the community on the importance of proper estate planning. The HRC Equality Circle Estate Planning Seminar was developed as one method of fulfilling that mission through the Office of Estate Planning.

The free seminars are presented by Timothy Mahoney, HRC’s director for estate planning. To interview Timothy Mahoney, please contact Trevor Thomas at 202-216-1547. To RSVP, visit: http://www.hrc.org/your_community/11833.htm.

WHAT: “Smart Estate and Financial Planning for LGBT Individuals and Families”

WHO: Timothy Mahoney, Director for Estate Planning at Human Rights Campaign

WHEN: Wednesday, March 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: King Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Avenue, Columbus, OH

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Barrio set to open Wednesday Downtown in the old Wendy's at Spring and High

The entire article is here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/barrio-set-to-open-next-wednesday-downtown

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com The latest entry into the growing Downtown dining scene is Barrio, a Latin & Spanish influenced restaurant scheduled to open on Wednesday. Barrio is located at the corner of Spring & High Streets in a building that formerly housed a Wendy’s restaurant. Over the past few months we’ve seen the exterior of the building slowly transform and look less and less like a fast food joint. And for as much as the exterior has changed, the interior has improved tenfold as well. Gone are the fluorescent lights and laminated particle board tables. Barrio has been redressed with deep colors and warm intimate lighting. The staff at Barrio is busy with last minute preparations for the opening on Wednesday, but we were able to sneak in today to snap a few photos around them while they worked. Check em out.

Weinland Park Development Plans Moving Forward

From Columbus Underground.

The entire link is here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/weinland-park-development-plans-moving-forward

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com It’s almost spring and the happy sounds of economic development fill the air in Weinland Park. The plans for the new Kroger at 7th and High are moving through the University Area Commission review board and the City permitting process. Pictured (PDF) is the most recent Kroger incarnation. The building will be sited where the parking lot is currently located. The Columbus Coated Fabric site is about to have the concrete pads and foundations removed. The concrete will be ground back into aggregate for reuse. This phase will take about two months. Grant Ave will be closed again when the contractors start the grinding. There is some subsurface remediation that will take place at the same time. It remains to be seen whether the grinding will drown out the sounds of construction on the Jackson or vice versa. Next stop, infrastructure.